Nigerian Space Program

[Aves]

This is unbelievable. You'd think they'd have better things to do with their money. I guess they'll be willing to put people into space for $20 Million, they have to raise funds some how.



ABUJA, July 4 (Reuters) - Nigeria, one of the world's poorest countries, is to launch its own space program in the form of an agency that will develop rocket and satellite technology, Transport Minister Ojo Madueke announced on Wednesday.

He said the government had allocated three billion naira ($2.7 million) for the program and that the agency will receive 2.5 billion naira ($2.2 million) annually in the next three years with the aim of becoming self-financing.

Although Nigeria is the world's sixth largest oil exporter, it has an external debt of $28.5 billion, according to government figures, and is struggling to provide its citizens with roads, education and basic health services.

With a per capita annual income of $300, it is one of the world's 20 poorest countries, according to World Bank figures.

President Olusegun Obasanjo will head the National Council on Space Science Technology, which will oversee the program, and Vice President Atiku Abubakar will be deputy chairman.

 

[syzygy]

nigeria is torn by internal religious trife. islamic law has been instituted in certain states, not in others, generating dissension and violence among religious classes. remember the early years of the american space program had a strong unifying patriotic element, which may be what the nigerian government is trying to immitate. they may be trying to stabilize the populace
behind a neutral non-sectarian and non-tribal pride. but still this country has only recently discovered some political stability after so many years of military rule and they still have not weeded out the gross corruption that plagues all levels of government. despite the money allocated for the space program, you have to wonder how much it will actually be spent on
the spave program.

 

[Aves]

<< remember the early years of the american space program had a strong unifying patriotic element, which may be what the nigerian government is trying to immitate >>

I can see your point there but I just don't think it's going to work.

<< they still have not weeded out the gross corruption that plagues all levels of government. despite the money allocated for the space program, you have to wonder how much it will actually be spent on the space program >>

This is exactly why. It'll never get of the ground and there will be nothing to unify the people of Nigeria. They'll just be more upset that their government is screwing them over yet again. Hopefully it'll work out for them, but I have serious doubts.

 

[SSP]

You'd think they would use that money to eliminate poverty...

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

The problem is that most of the politicians in Nigeria are corrupt, atleast when I was there. Although now after the coup and since Sani Abacha is gone, its getting better. Step by step, Nigeria will become the nation it was 20 years ago. At that time, the Nigerian Naira was stronger than the British Pound and American Dollar. And then once the civilian gov't kicked in, everything went downhill..and then there was another coup d'etat and the Military kicked in to lead the country. It continue going downhill.

I knew the son of the supposed to be Vice-President of Nigeria before Sani Abacha did the coup. Well I knew two of Sani Abacha's sons too. The older one (my age) was a nice guy, the younger one was a brat. The son of the Vice-President was a really nice guy. He had a wicked house too..lived down the street from me. The supposed to be Vice-President became a Minister of something or the other..I forgot now.

In Nigeria, all Ministers get their own place to stay, and some of them build their own houses too..so then end up with two.

The President's villa was amazing. The actual villa is hidden between two large hills (or small mountains..depending on how you look at it). There are quite a few houses in the villa. He has his own hunting range which surrounds his villa. There are lions and tigers there to hunt.

The capital of Nigeria is Abuja..and it truly is a beautiful place to visit. Beautiful mountains and countryside. And the city is clean and planned. Very nice place. The other main city, Lagos, is like New York City..

There are really nice waterfalls near Abuja too..really good hiking places..

 

[UG]

Technological development drives national economics.

Nigeria is not nearly as dumb as you might think.